The case worker who treated the gran raped in Marton last year has reacted angrily to news that the two rapists will be appealing their sentences.

Deborah Mills is the sexual violence advocate who has been supporting the 66-year-old widow after she was beaten and raped in her own home on September 29.

Deborah, who works at the Women's Support Network in Saltersgill, has been counselling the pensioner.

And the case worker slammed the news that rapists Lee Beazley and David Humphrey, both 20, will be appealing against their sentences on October 16.

She said: "It's the anniversary on Friday and it's a bad time of year to hear that they are appealing. Her mind is reeling.

"But she has been doing so well and she is a very strong character.

"She is a very strong woman who has come through a terrifying ordeal that no woman should have to go through."

Beazley and Humphrey were sentenced to life sentences at Teesside Crown Court and told minimum parole would be in six years but Recorder Peter Fox told them they should not expect to be released at that time.

Deborah added: "When the sentence was originally given, it made an impact. Life sentences are not given lightly but it was minimised to parole potential within six years. I think that was bad enough considering the impact on the woman and her family. What right does she have to appeal?

"What message does it give to any women or rapists about sentences being reduced on appeal?

"What is the point of having any investigation by the police, Crown Prosecution Service and courts, which were all excellent in this case, if it can all be negated on appeal?

"I think the severity of this crime cannot be underestimated and the severity of the punishment should not be diminished."

Ashok Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said: "It's a tragedy that this case will come to appeal.

"I would hope that if and when it comes to court, the judge takes careful note of the comments made by Peter Fox. I believe he could be seen to be suggesting that the sentence he had to hand down was unduly lenient for the severity of the crime."